In an attempt to placate protesters, Iran conducted a partial recount Monday of votes cast in its disputed presidential election, and the hard-line president asked for an investigation into the shooting death of a young woman who has become a potent symbol of the opposition's struggle.
I have to disagree with the analysis. The protesters are risking their lives because they believe the system cheated them all. How would a partial recount placate them? The recount won't placate protesters and it is unlikely that it is intended as such.
Rather, it is aimed at placating those in the middle who neither support the regime nor support the protesters. By appearing to be reasonable, the regime seeks to keep the protesters' support narrow enough to defeat with controlled violence and arrests under the cover of darkness.
